Water factory workforce peaks
GIPPSLAND Water Factory’s workforce is set to peak at about 300 people and its local spend has hit more than $27.5 million, as the push to complete the new wastewater treatment and recycling system intensifies.
The project, which is the first of its kind in Australia, is due to be commissioned at the end of this year and be operational early 2009.
While many locals have found employment working directly on the project, the Gippsland Water Factory alliance (GWFA) has also maintained its commitment to employing and subcontracting companies within Gippsland Water’s service area wherever possible. This has seen more than $27.5 million committed in local content so far, with the figure set to increase further before construction is complete.
According to GWFA construction manager Roland Brohaska, the number of people working on the project, including alliance employed staff and subcontractors, has increased in the last few months as work has moved from construction of large above ground structures, to mechanical and electrical construction and installation.
``At present there are more than 250 people working on construction of the main Maryvale treatment plant and the GWF transfer system, with more to come in the next few weeks. We also have about 20 project support staff,’’ Mr Brohaska said.
``Of our construction workforce, nine are mechanical and electrical apprentices and we’re thrilled to be giving these young people the opportunity to work on such a large and important project.’’
Most of the large external structures at the GWF Maryvale site have been built and are now being fitted out, while construction work on the two transfer systems has also increased.
``The transfer systems are a series of pipelines and pump stations that will carry wastewater once GWF is operational. The first system will bring raw wastewater to GWF from nine local towns and Australian Paper for treatment, while the second will take Sale and Fulham’s wastewater in a separate pipe directly to the existing facility at Dutson Downs for treatment,’’ Mr Brohaska said.
``In total, the transfer systems involve construction of 78 kilometres of pipeline, along with two new pump stations and six pump station upgrades. We’ve completed all but three kilometres of our pipelines and work on the pump stations is also well underway.’’
GWFA spokesperson and Gippsland Water general manager planning and development, David Evans, said the alliance was dedicated to supporting the Gippsland region and in addition to employing local workers, had a commitment to using local companies and suppliers where it could.
``GWF is contributing significantly to Gippsland’s economy during construction and once complete, this innovative new wastewater treatment system will have many more benefits for the local community and environment,’’ Mr Evans said.
``We are committed to encouraging growth in Gippsland by creating employment, increasing skills and introducing new technology. We aim to maximise the level of local content in our operations and strive to use local labour and suppliers whenever we can. This is evident in the $27.5 million dedicated to local content so far.’’
When operational, GWF’s main treatment plant at Maryvale will treat up to 35 million litres of Gippsland’s domestic and industrial wastewater each day. This wastewater will come from more than 15,000 households and businesses in Traralgon, Morwell, Yallourn North, Boolarra, Toongabbie, Glengarry, Rosedale, Yinnar and Churchill, and Australian Paper’s Maryvale mill.
Eight million litres a day will be treated to an extra high standard and recycled to Australian Paper, which will purchase the water. By selling recycled water to Australian Paper, GWF will save about three billion litres of fresh water in the Moondarra/Latrobe system each year for use in Gippsland; be it for environmental flows in our rivers, drinking purposes, or to support future growth in the area.
The remaining highly treated wastewater will be sent down the regional outfall sewer (ROS), free of odour causing organics. Removing raw sewage from the ROS and significantly reducing odour in the open channel section is the key driver of GWF.
The entire GWF system will service a population base of 48,000 and the technology used to treat Australian Paper’s pulp and paper wastewater is believed to be a world first that will set a new standard for treatment of this type of waste.
The GWF system is being built using an alliance model, made up of a consortium of companies working collaboratively and sharing equal responsibility for the design, construction and commissioning of the project. The GWFA includes Gippsland Water, Transfield Services, CH2M HILL, and Parsons Brinckerhoff. The project is jointly funded by Gippsland Water and the Victorian Government.
this page updated 9 July 2008 |